Melanotropic peptides: more than just ‘Barbie drugs’ and ‘sun‐tan jabs’?

@article{Langan2010MelanotropicPM,
  title={Melanotropic peptides: more than just ‘Barbie drugs’ and ‘sun‐tan jabs’?},
  author={Ewan A Langan and Z Nie and Lesley E Rhodes},
  journal={British Journal of Dermatology},
  year={2010},
  volume={163}
}
While ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a major cause of skin ageing and carcinogenesis, public pursuit of a novel tanning strategy circumventing the need for UVR is increasingly reported in the media and scientific press. This involves the subcutaneous self‐administration of unregulated products labelled as melanotan I and/or II, synthetic analogues of α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH), as obtained via the internet, tanning salons and gyms. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory… Expand
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Risks of unregulated use of alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone analogues: a review
TLDR
Increasing numbers of case reports indicate that the unregulated use of both melanotan I and II is associated with cutaneous complications, particularly melanocytic changes in existing moles and newly emerging (dysplastic) nevi. Expand
Eruptive Dysplastic Nevi Following Melanotan Use
Illegal use of Melanotan I and II has been reported and regulatory authorities have issued warnings in the United States and Europe. Melatonin I and II are synthetic melanocortin analogs (… Expand
Melanotropic peptides: what exactly is meant by "melanotan"?
TLDR
Dermatologists need to be aware of the increasing self-medication by the public of melanotropic peptides, and the presence of an unexpected tan may alert the physician to their use, as well as drawing attention to the fact that " melanotan " is not synonymous with " melatonin. Expand
Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis
TLDR
A 39 year-old Caucasian male injected subcutaneously 6 mg of Melanotan II purchased over the Internet in an attempt to darken his skin during wintertime resulted in systemic toxicity including apparent sympathomimetic symptoms, rhabdomyolysis, and renal dysfunction. Expand
Pseudoleucoderma after injections of afamelanotide in a patient with atopic dermatitis.
TLDR
Synthetic Alpha-MSH-analogues like afamelanotide offered by online marketing are increasingly used as lifestyle drugs with the single intent to stimulate skin tanning. Expand
Topical treatment strategies to manipulate human skin pigmentation.
TLDR
Pharmacologic activation of this pathway ("sunless tanning") represents a potential strategy for skin cancer prevention, particularly in those with light skin or the "red hair" phenotype who tan poorly after UV exposure due to MC1R inactivating polymorphisms. Expand
Oral and Systemic Photoprotection
Excessive exposure to solar radiation brings up two types of deleterious effects. Short term, the leading clinical effect is erythema, which includes swelling and redness, inflammation, and burning… Expand
UV signaling pathways within the skin
TLDR
Modulators of the UV tanning pathway include sunscreen agents, MC1R activators, adenylate cyclase activator, phosphodiesterase 4D3 inhibitors, T oligos, and MITF regulators such as histone deacetylase (HDAC)-inhibitors. Expand
FEATURES OF UVR AND UV-INDUCED MUTAGENESIS
The effects of UVR on the skin include tanning, carcinogenesis, immunomodulation, and synthesis of vitamin D, among others. Melanocortin 1 receptor polymorphisms correlate with skin pigmentation, UV… Expand
Afamelanotide for prevention of phototoxicity in erythropoietic protoporphyria
TLDR
In the clinical experience afamelanotide treatment is much more effective in clinical practice than demonstrated in clinical trials and should be made available for all EPP patients meeting inclusion criteria. Expand
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